Master Arts Theatre - WKTV Journal

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

Finally it feels like Spring, and just in time for Earth Day.

This weekend’s Top 5 includes theater, rock ‘n’ roll, a book sale and a special Earth Day Party with Quillbur?

Want to learn more? Check out my Top 5, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.

Gonzo’s Top 5

Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish

Grand Rapids rock, blues and rockabilly duo Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, celebrates the release of a new album with a show Saturday at Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids. The new, self-titled album “is quite different from other releases as it has more instruments and attitude,” Jesse Ray said in an interview on John Sinkevics’ localspins.com. “Where (2016’s) ‘Angry’ was just angry for the sake of a young man’s anger, the new record is more complicated and emotional with the occasional outburst.” The bill also includes Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps and The Local Commuters. Tickets are $15 and available online. Doors open at 7 p.m. More info on the Facebook event page.

Van Andel Arena

Downtown Grand Rapids is going to be busy this weekend with a couple big shows at Van Andel Arena. Comedian Katt Williams ( “The House Next Door; Meet the Blacks 2,” “Meet the Blacks”) performs at 8 p.m. Saturday (April 23) and rock band Shinedown performs at 7 p.m. Sunday (April 24). More details at vanandelarena.com.

Both KDL Kenwood and Wyoming libraries are hosting book sales this Saturday.

Friends of the Library Used Book Sale

The Kent District Library Kentwood Branch and Wyoming Branch both feature book sales from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday (April 23) where book enthusiasts will find bargains galore. The Kentwood Branch is located at 4950 Breton SE. The Wyoming Branch is located at 3350 Michael Ave. SW. More details at kdl.org.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Master Arts Theatre in Grand Rapids is presenting “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” with shows April 21-23, April 28-30 and May 5-7. Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, The Hunchback of Notre Dame showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs by Menken and Schwartz. According to Master Arts, “Peter Parnell’s new book embraces story theatre and features verbatim passages from Hugo’s gothic novel.” Learn more at www.masterarts.org.

Blandford Nature Center hosts a birthday party for Quillber, a North American Porcupine. (Supplied)

Blandford Nature Center – Earth Day

As part of Earth Day Week, Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids is having a Birthday Party for two of its wildlife ambassadors – Archimedes, who is a long-eared owl, and Quillber, a North American Porcupine. In a program from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, you’ll hear their stories and learn about what makes each of them special. Organizers said you can “snap a close-up of silly Archimedes before heading out on the trails to take Quillber for a birthday stroll through the woods.” Admission is free this month to Blandford, but admission to the party is $7 for members, $10 for non-members and free to those ages 2 and younger. You can register at https://www.blandfordnaturecenter.org/events/earth-day-birthdays/?occurrence=2022-04-23.

Blandford Nature Center is located at 1715 Hillburn Ave NW. Learn more about Blandford nature trails an http://blandfordnaturecenter.org/

That’s it for now.

As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Have a great, safe Easter weekend.

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Wyoming’s Master Arts Theatre is partnering with its neighbor to the south, Byron Center’s Van Singel Fine Arts Center, to co-produce Roald Dahl’s music comedy “Willy Wonka” for the winter holiday.

The production will include four performances Nov. 30 – Dec. 2. Auditions have been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 24, and 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Monday, June 26, at Van Singel Fine Arts Center, which is part of the Byron Center High School at 8500 Burlingame Ave. SW or the corner of Burlingame Avenue and 84th Street.

“We are pleased to be partnering with the Van Singel Fine Arts Center in providing opportunities to feature local artists and actors in this wonderful venue, and look forward to collaboration with an organization that shares our dedication to serving the Byron Center and South Grand Rapids community with wholesome family entertainment and high standards of artistic excellence,” said Master Arts Theatre Artistic Director Pricilla McDonald.

Plans are underway to give subscribers from both non-profit organizations the ability to purchase advance seating and add the show as part of season packages. The two groups believe that this new alliance will be the beginning of many future community theater productions presented at the Van Singel. In fact, Van Singel Managing Director Sara Bower said she is thrilled to be creating this new partnership.

“We are so excited to partner with Master Arts for ‘Willy Wonka’,” Bower said. “Engaging the community is paramount to both of our organizations, and with a collaboration like this, there is so much opportunity to change lives through the arts – especially through a musical that everyone knows and loves.”

Based on the Gene Wilder film, this classic family musical follows world re-known and mysterious candy man, Willy Wonka, who hosts five young Golden Ticket contest winners at his magical candy empire. While on their tour of the surreal confectionary factory, the young winners and their families journey through the delicious art of candy making, where four of the children plunge into mischievous escapades. However, little do the five children and their families know that their dreamlike adventure is really a test of character and Willy Wonka is actually seeking an heir to his massive chocolate kingdom.

Bower said they are looking forward to “a multi-generation cast, having a lot of fun, working to put on a fantastic show; that that’s our goal for this production and for any potential future collaborations. We want families and neighbors to create memories from these experiences…whether it’s through performance, volunteering n the theatre, or coming to see the show.”

Tickets for “Willy Wonka” are $22 for reserved seating in sections II and III. Reserved seating in all other sections of the theatre are $19 for adults, $17 for students and senior citizens and $8.50 for children 10 and under. The Van Singel Fine Arts Center box office is open weekdays, noon to 5 p.m.

For more information abut auditions or the show, call Master Arts Theatre at 616-455-1001 or visit the company’s website at masterarts.org or call the Van Single Fine Arts Center at 616-878-6800 or visit vsfac.com.